The act of giving and receiving is important and makes us feel happy. It brings joy to the people who we care most about. This is a very special thing and it makes us feel special.

Of course there are many children around the world who are less fortunate. They might be very poor, or sick in hospitals, or in orphanages, refugee camps, and homeless shelters and in impoverished neighbourhoods in poor countries. The children will not feel that special tingle of excitement from receiving a special Christmas gift that was bought just for them.

With the help from families, schools, churches, business, youth groups, clubs and you, operation Christmas child can bring not only Christmas, but love, hope, warmth to children who find themselves in desperate situations this Christmas time.

All you need to do is...

Cover a shoebox in some Christmas wrapping paper and fill it with gifts. Toys, a toothbrush, soap, a hat and scarf, a teddy, a small ball, colouring books and crayons, jigsaw puzzles, cars, planes, sweeties and other things that all children like. You will also need to donate ?2 towards delivering the gift stuffed shoebox to a child. Details of gifts to send, and how and where to send your filled shoebox can be found at the link at the bottom of the page.

Maybe you could get your school involved in filling shoeboxes, or the club that you attend. Get your Grandma knitting mittens, get your Dad's work involved, and get your Mum wrapping up shoeboxes.

Your generosity could make a child feel that same warm tingle of excitement that you feel when you're ripping into your Christmas presents on Christmas morning.

Do something special for someone you don't know this Christmas. Keep the magic of giving alive and fill a shoebox, and make a difference to someone else's Christmas.